PONDA: The much in demand delicious monsoon vegetables grown in hills by mallekars (farmers) of Ponda taluka arrived in the market and can be seen farmers selling along NH roads at various places like Priol, Mardol , Borim, Ponda etc. Goenkars often blame farmers for selling the seasonal vegetables at high price. According to Sadanand Gaude a farmer growing monsoon vegetables at Priol, who is also the chairman of farmers association namely Balaram Shetkari Mandal (BSM) at Priol, claimed the farmers are facing lot of difficulties in growing these much-in-demand monsoon vegetables. He further insisted that MLAs, ministers should regulate this farming as schemes and financial supports are needed from government to continue this age-old practice of vegetable cultivation.
“If we don’t grow these vegetables then one day the hills would be sold to builders,” he said.
He said many farmers didn’t get Krishi Card benefits, further condition of NOC from landlord also creates hurdle.
He revealed that farmers cultivating vegetables on hills are neither legal owners, nor tenants but since long they are doing growing these vegetables and preserved the age-old technique of cultivation on the hills. He said growing vegetables on hills need knowledge and they got this legacy from their fore fathers.
He said if government wants to preserve the traditional practice and also protect hills and have love for farmers then he pleaded government to frame financial scheme for mallekars.
He regrets that politicians instead of protecting farmers’ interest are fighting on market construction issue.
